Not So Long Ago....
For my wife on her birthday :-)
Not so long ago, this world got a lot more beautiful.
Not so long ago, this world became a lot more inspiring.
Not so long ago, this world got a lot more passionate.
Not so long ago, this world got a lot more fun.
Not so long ago, this world got a lot more intelligent.
Not so long ago, this world got a whole lot cooler.
Not so long ago, this world got much hotter (in the best way possible).
Not so long ago, this world got a whole lot better.
Because not so long ago, you were born.
Fight Conclusion?
*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*
"Ha ha ha ha, she may be hot, but she isn't superior!" Cyclo jeered. "But once you are done relying on her magic, and I have crushed you permanently, maybe I will keep her as a second bride to go along with Tamma."
"No you won't!" Rick snarled as he charged at his foe. Cyclo pointed at Rick and fired an icy blast at him, but it bounced off his armor. Rick answered with a sword slash to the right arm of the monster, not deep enough to remove the limb, but enough to cause his enemy to scream in pain. Cyclo countered by pointing at him and firing a lighting bolt, which also bounced off of Rick's armor. Rick slashed at Cyclo's left leg, leaving another deep cut that resulted in more screams of agony. Once he regained his composure, Cyclo pointed at Rick and blasted him into the air with a gale spell.
"Looks like the buffs are down already!" Essie cried out. "Don't worry Rick, I've got you!"
Rick appeared next to Essie, and he once again caught her as she began to lose consciousness. He summoned a blue grenade into his hand, and threw it down to heal them both.
"Thanks Essie, sorry to tax you so much." Rick apologized softly. "My refills arrived at the perfect time at least."
"That's good." Essie said weakly, smiling despite needing support from Rick to stand up.
"Well well well, you've drained your girl's magic so much that your healing items aren't enough anymore!" Cyclo laughed. "What an awful boyfriend you are!"
"Here Essie, I'll give you another one." Rick said kindly as he ignored Cyclo and summoned another blue grenade. He tossed it down, and this time Essie's strength was completely restored.
"I think it's time to admit that this fight is over kids!" Cyclo declared. "You were in over your heads from the beginning, and your situation is only getting worse. Time to let the grown ups in your crew step in and take over!"
"That's rich coming from you." Rick replied boldly. "If you had a mirror, you would be able to see that you aren't looking all that great yourself!"
"True, you both did inflict some bruises, and those sword strikes are quite severe." Cyclo replied, smiling while wincing from his injuries. "But, did you both forget that you're not the only ones that have healing abilities?"
To be continued....
Proverbs 3:11-12 - Loving Discipline and Feedback (Bible Journal)
"[11] My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. [12] For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:11-12 NLT)."
Just like any other human would feel, being told what you're doing could be better, and/or being corrected when you've made a poor choice isn't an easy thing to accept. Yet, being able to accept that we don't have all the answers and can always do better, and that we sometimes have to get redirected from the wrong paths are both an invaluable life skills. As a Pre-K teacher, I not only need to be open to ways I can improve my teaching, but it is my calling to show my students a better way if they are making harmful choices, and I need to continue to work on delivering this information in a loving, supportive way. And through my passion and other calling of acting, it is imperative to be coachable when feedback is provided on how I can improve my performances, and I need to acknowledge that the feedback I am receiving is being given by someone that also wants the show we are performing for our guests to be the best it can be. And as a father, it is extremely important to give loving discipline to my children, and accept the discipline for myself when I fall short in the parenting department.
Lord, I confess that although I am a huge fan of growing and improving in the things I do, I can also grow and improve at not only accepting discipline and feedback, but also giving it in a loving way. As I navigate a challenging school year, I especially appreciate You reminding me the importance of giving and receiving loving discipline in my classroom and beyond. Please help me to not only continue to take this to heart, but to keep growing in not only receiving and implementing loving discipline and feedback, but giving it in loving and caring ways. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Tender Loving Support
*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*
Now that the smoke had cleared, Cyclo stood before his opponents flashing a toothy grin. Even with the bruises all over his body from the attacks of the skeletal limbs Essie had summoned, he appeared to be ready to fight once again.
"That was the most powerful poison spell I had....." Essie said defeatedly as tears filled her eyes. "I'm so sorry everyone, I thought this would end the battle...."
Cyclo fell to the ground laughing uncontrollably. Once he regained his composure, he stood back up to address the mage.
"Against an enemy as weak as yourself sweetie, it could have worked. But against me, an enemy that surpasses you in every way possible, your spell could do nothing. And I took in more than enough of your poison to prove it worthless."
"Don't sweat it Essie, it's ok." Rick said softly. "I just requested some more blue grenades that should be on their way to my helmet's inventory in five minutes. And you still have plenty of great spells to bring to the table. He talks a big game, but look how beat up he looks! I doubt he is feeling as good as he says he is."
"Thank you Rick." Essie said sweetly as she hugged him. Besides natural endorphins from the embrace, Rick felt his abilities heighten again from the power of mage's embrace. Essie then held a glowing hand over Rick before letting him go.
"I added some buffs to protect you from ice, fire, lighting, wind, poison, and Earth spells." Essie said as her heart melting smile shone once again. "They should last as long as the power up from mage's embrace. If he has any other magic that doesn't fall into those categories, I'll pull you back over here and give you buffs for those too!"
Essie began to fall again, but Rick once again caught her. He then threw down another blue grenade to restore his precious friend's strength.
"You're too kind hun, but I don't want you to overdo it." Rick said tenderly. "You've done enough, and I will make sure I make these gifts you've given me count. Alright Cyclo, I'll show you how superior Essie truly is to you!"
To be continued....
Lifer Begins, Again (Part I)
This story is based on the Reedsy.com prompt "End your story with someone saying “I do."
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
"This place really is beautiful." Janet marveled as she and her companion Chris emerged from the forest they had traversed for an hour. Their reward was a view of a sunrise over a lake that neighbored the house of Landon, the pre-teen boy they were checking in on. Initially known as the villain Lifer, he had caused torment by bringing inanimate objects to life. After being defeated by the teamwork of Chris, Janet, Mirk, and Tam, Landon had been reformed after taking a trip to the Reflection Dimension, and he now lived with four companions that he had brought to life during his tenure as a former villain. Landon lived peacefully with Mirk and Tam's former helmets and armor that were now living beings in their own right, who could easily pass as armored members of Hugh's hero network. Landon's housemates also included sentient shoes Fred and Shania, whom still worked for Hugh on occasion. Recent reports claimed that Lifer had resurfaced, but Janet and Chris didn't think Landon was the culprit. Landon had returned from the Reflection Dimension, and he claimed that his former powers were gone. Still, Janet and Chris wanted to check in on him not only to see if he could point them in the right direction of who the real enemy was, but to also confirm Landon's safety as well. The possibility of Landon being a threat was very low, so Chris and Janet were dressed in casual civilian outfits. Still, they could summon their helmets if combat became a necessity at any point.
Landon was sitting in a swing on the porch outside, while the helmet and armor humanoid forms that also went by the names Mirk and Tam sat in lounge chairs on either side of the boy that they had vowed to protect.
"Janet.... Chris.... welcome!" Landon squealed, running over and hugging both of his guests. "It is so good to see you!"
"It is nice to see you again too Landon." Chris said kindly, even though he was ready to get to the point of their visit. "I don't mean to be a downer, but we didn't come for a social call. I'm not sure if you're aware, but a specific someone has resurfaced."
"I had a feeling that was what brought you both here, and I am aware of the return of Lifer." Landon replied as he started trembling. "I promise you guys, it isn't me anymore. I really did lose the life creating abilities after returning from that world you sent me to."
"We believe you Landon, and we didn't come here to accuse you." Janet smiled reassuringly. "We came to you to confirm that you and your family are safe, and to also see if you might have an idea who this new Lifer is. I see the Mirk and Tam helmets are here with you, are Fred and Shania also around?"
"They are out currently on a mission for Hugh, checking on some sightings of recent objects that had been brought to life. They were hoping that they could find the new guy and figure out who he could be."
"Fair enough, being creations from Lifer powers themselves would hopefully be helpful in finding out something." Chris mused. "Still, do you have any guesses on who it could be bud? I know you live a pretty private life now, but surely you might be able to think of someone you had encountered before."
"I do have one guess, maybe the one from the beginning." Landon pondered. "He disappeared after he gave me the abilities, but my guess is the doc-"
Two laser blasts emerged from behind the group, each striking Mirk and Tam. The helmets shattered upon impact, and the armored bodies that were formerly attached vanished.
"Mirk! Tam!" Landon screamed, dropping to the porch floor sobbing. Janet rushed to the boy to attempt to console him, while Chris turned to see a figure wearing a bright gold helmet and emerald green armor approaching. He held two smoking laser guns in his hands, now pointing both at Landon and Janet.
"Tam, is that you?" Chris asked incredulously. "Where have you been? And more importantly, how could you?"
"Those two were an abomination to my late brother and me, and those helmets were never his to bring to life to begin with!" Tam snarled. "Besides, Lifer is back, and it has to be this kid! That brat probably rigged his time in the Reflection Dimension and came back with his powers. If he wants to bring more fake lives to life, he can now do so thanks to that Reflection Dimension joke you all swear by. But unlike you hacks, I won't let him. I will do what you and the rest of Hugh's failure of an organization should have done the first time. I am going to take this kid out, and put Lifer's machinations to rest for good."
"Not if we can help it." Janet said with a quiet determination, standing up in front of Landon while a dark helmet appeared in her hand. She quickly donned it, summoning armor to her body. Chris summoned his own helmet and armored himself as he joined Janet in guarding Landon.
"Ha ha ha ha, fine by me!" Tam laughed maniacally. "I was going to kill all of you anyway, and save the rest of the world the trouble of your failures."
"Tam, you need to stop!" Chris yelled, then catching himself so he could respond more softly. "We all miss Mirk, truly we do. But it isn't our fault that he died. You are going after the wrong people!"
"Oh don't worry, I may be working for Leftover right now, but when my work is done, both his organization and Hugh's network will be no more. Then with both parties that caused my brother's death decimated, my brother will truly be able to rest in peace!"
"Ok, back up a second Tam, you're in league with the one that killed your brother by his own hand?" Janet asked in shock to their former ally. "How did that even happen?"
"He was my first stop, and I tried to take him out." Tam explained in a calm, yet cold tone. "He spared me and offered me the opportunity to build up my skills if I helped him destroy Hugh and the rest of you. My ultimate aim is the fall of Hugh, Leftover, and anyone involved with both. Using Leftover to up my skills and destroy Hugh will give me the power to then go back and murder him next."
"Tam, this is insane!" Chris pleaded. "How can you believe a word of what you're saying?"
"Please Tam, come back with us." Janet added. "Let us help you carry the burden of your grief, and we'll stop Leftover the right way, together."
"I'm sorry old friends, but the Tam you once knew died the same day Mirk did, even if he left me behind to set things right, and cleanse this world of those that took away the life he loved living. Now step aside and let me take out Lifer before he causes any more trouble!"
"Ha ha ha ha, I'm sorry, but this drama is too much!" An unfamiliar voice bellowed. "Guess it is time to reveal the truth before the murder of an innocent child is added to your list of growing crimes Tam!"
The group turned around and found a man in his mid 30s standing before them. He wore a white lab coat over a blue button down shirt and khakis.
"Dr. Sly!" Landon cried out, as he stood up and dried his tears. "Are you the one that created a new Lifer?"
"Created a new Lifer?" Tam asked Landon curiously. "Please explain what you mean by that, boy."
"He is Dr. Lionel Sly, the doctor that visited me at the orphanage. He gave me the Lifer powers, then I never saw him again. He's got to be the reason Lifer is back, not me!"
"Guess Hugh's Reflection Dimension didn't mess up after all.... yet." Tam chuckled, turning to Dr. Sly and pointing a laser gun at him. "Alright doc, start talking! How do you give out Lifer powers, and who is the latest recipient that I now have to hunt down?"
"Very well, I will tell you who holds the Lifer powers now." Dr. Sly said with a devilish grin. "I do."
To be continued....
2 Timothy 4:3 - Seek Correct Teaching (Bible Journal)
"[3] For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT)."
We never want to be wrong about things, and the icing on the cake would be finding someone that not only tells you that you're right, but also tells you that it is ok to keep on doing whatever it is that you want to do. If you're honoring God by following Him and serving others, then this kind of teaching could very well be fine. However, if the teaching you are seeking is encouraging poor habits and keeping you from making necessary changes, then the teaching will drain you and keep you in a place that you may justify as feeling good, but is actually harmful to not only you, but to those that are in your life.
Lord, thank You for no shortage of good teaching out there, especially from those You have called to instruct. Please help me to seek and continue to learn from teachers that help me to grow in my relationship with You, teachers that show me how to honor You, teachers whom help me to be of better service to others, and teachers whom encourage me to move away from negative practices that I need the reminder to reject. Please help me to also teach my upcoming new class of students in a way that reflects You, is encouraging in the right way, and helps those in my care to grow in only the best way possible. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Gratitude Journal For The Week of 7/29/2024
"Thankfulness is like a door to God's presence."
- Kendra Barrow, Vineyard Northwest
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalms 100:4 NLT)."
A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app. I hope these inspire you to reflect on what you are thankful for in your own life. :-)
7/29/2024
"What are you looking forward to this week?"
- One more week till a mini vacation!
- My youngest son's birthday, and a party for our three kids to celebrate.
- Olympic sports to take in.
- Friends that are family coming to visit.
7/30/2024
"What are you grateful for today?"
- A new day to give life another go.
- My family to come home to tonight.
- Church message podcasts to catch up on.
8/1/2024
"How did someone help you this week?"
Our landlord fixing the air conditioner.
8/2/2024
Affirmation: "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."
"Is there anything you would like to thank God for this week?"
Thank You God for helping us through this week, and for one major resolution to a problem we were facing. Thank You for Birthday celebrations for my kids this week, and for a mini-vacation that I will get to enjoy with out of town friends and family.
Restoration
This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." Links for prior chapters in this storyline can be found here: https://www.theprose.com/post/746871/the-small-town-magic-arc
Essie pointed at the mass of skeletal limbs that encased Cyclo, then clenched her hand into a fist. As the skeletal appendages crumbled, a putrid orange smoke emerged from the decaying bones. Cyclo coughed uncontrollably for half a minute before silence took over. Leaving the toxic vapor to handle the cyclops, Essie turned her attention to her friend that remained trapped in ice.
"I'm so sorry Rick.... now I will take care of you." Essie smiled sympathetically as she held her now glowing hand over Rick. The ice melted within seconds, and Rick gasped as if he had just awoken from a nightmare. Essie beamed and sighed in relief before she started falling forward.
Rick quickly caught Essie and held her tenderly. Relieved tears flowed down her face, and a weak smile formed as she rested in Rick's arms.
"I'm sorry, I guessed I used up too much energy with all those spells."
"You have absolutely nothing to apologize for." Rick said gratefully. "You were amazing back there.... you are an amazing mage and an amazing person Essie."
Rick held out his right hand, and a blue grenade appeared in it. He dropped the grenade, surrounding the pair in blue smoke. Once the air cleared, Essie gave Rick a strong hug before standing on her own once again.
"Thanks Rick, I feel so much better! Between your tech and combat skills, and my magic.... we can win this!"
"I agree, we make a wonderful team!" Rick said with a bow, wishing his smile was visible for Essie to see from under his helmet.
"I used that new spell that I had finally mastered the last time we trained in The Training World." Essie said enthusiastically as he looked at the now fading orange fumes. "It took a lot out of me, but Cyclo shouldn't be getting up anytime soon."
"Sorry sweetie, breaktime is over!"
The smoke finished evaporating, revealing a battered, but bold cyclops smirking defiantly.
To be continued....
Gratitude Journal For The Week of 7/22/2024
"Thankfulness is like a door to God's presence."
- Kendra Barrow, Vineyard Northwest
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalms 100:4 NLT)."
A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app. I hope these inspire you to reflect on what you are thankful for in your own life. :-)
7/22/2024
"What are you looking forward to this week?"
- A shorter work week.
- Time with my family.
- Getting back into creative ventures by making a bigger commitment to work on my acting class, and writing more consistently too.
- Working on growing my relationship with God.
7/23/2024
"What are you grateful for today?"
I am grateful for my dog being able to get a surgery that will help her recover from an ACL tear, and a vet that has been good to her over the years.
7/25/2024
"How did someone help you this week?"
My wife (and a tip from the internet) were able to successfully remove a Nintendo Switch cartridge that was accidentally jammed in the console upside down, saving both the system and the game (big toenail clippers if you ever find yourself in this situation).
7/26/2024
Affirmation: "God had me in mind before I was born."
"Is there anything you would like to thank God for this week?"
Thank You God for helping us through this week's challenges, whether they were minor or major. Thank You for time with my uncle this weekend, a concert to look forward to, Olympics to take in, cuddling with my wife, and some gaming with the kids to come.
Gratitude Journal For The Week of 7/15/2024
"Thankfulness is like a door to God's presence."
- Kendra Barrow, Vineyard Northwest
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name (Psalms 100:4 NLT)."
A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app. I hope these inspire you to reflect on what you are thankful for in your own life. :-)
7/15/2024
"What are you looking forward to this week?"
- Time with my family, including my core unit reunited.
- Good shows, games, music, podcasts, and sports to check out.
- Opportunities to learn and grow.
7/16/2024
"What are you grateful for today?"
- Waking up this morning.
- My family to return home to tonight.
- Getting some writing in last night.
- Coffee
7/18/2024
"How did someone help you this week?"
- Support from the gentlemen in Man to Man group as we discuss life and build each other up.
- My wife helping me with tasks we needed to accomplish.
- Support from co-workers.
7/19/2024
Affirmation: "God listens to me."
Thank You God for Your lessons and presence throughout this week. Thank You for walking with me through life's challenges and blessings, and thank You for a longer weekend to enjoy with my family.